Telephonic apparatus.



Q98 in can:

E. E1 CLEMENT. TELEPHONIU APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 120x512, 1907. RENEWED JULY 3. 1014.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914 3 SHEBTS SHEET 1.

E. B. CLEMENT.

TELBPHONIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 11017.13, 1907 RENEWED JULY 3, 1914 1,109,621, Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

' 3 SHBBTS*"SHEET 2.

Suva n for,

E. E. CLEMENT TELEPHONIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1907. RENEWED JULY 3, 1914.

1,109,621, Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

3 SHEETS'SHEET 3.

19% zoom EDWARD E. CLEMENT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TELEPHONIC APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

Application filed November 13, 1907, Serial No. 402,027- Renewed July 3, 1914. Serial No. 848,995.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. CLEMENT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at .which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to telephonic apparatus and especially to automatic switches used for interconnecting lines and for similar urposes.

T e object of the invention is to simplify the design and construction of such switches, at the same time rendering them more ellicient in operation.

A switch ofthe type to which this invention relates usually has a plurality of fixed or bank contacts, one 'or move movable (iontacts, and one or more electromagnets for moving the same, together with a release or restoring magnet for returning the parts to normal condition when the switch is in a condition of disuse. In order to set the movable contacts with accuracy, a spindle has been provided, carrying one or more ratchets, worked by pawls actuated by the wor ing electromagnets, together with a stop pawl or detent controlled by the release magnet. These parts have all been assembled on a frame, usually of cast metal, with sundr adjustments made necessary by the factt at the individual parts were not directly joined but depended upon the frame for their interconnection.

In the present switch, I provide a frame of the simplest and most elementary character, in which the spindle is held so that it can both reciprocate and rotate. The frame'is connected. to the bank contacts so as to be readily detachable therefrom, carry- 7 ing with it all the working parts. The movable contacts or wipers are attached to the spindle, which also carries what I shall call a vertical ratchet for producing reciprocating motion, and a rotary ratchet for turning it. A pivoted stop pawl or detent is attached to the frame with a single projection or toe of peculiar shape adapted to engage and act upon both the rotary and the vertical ratchets. Three magnets are mounted upon the frame, each forming a complete unit, with all its operating parts directly connected together, assembled and adjusted upon the magnet before being attached to the frame. l/Vhen in position, each magnet is attached tothe frame at one end only, and the working parts are actuated by I meansof bell crank levers pivoted on knife edges at the outer extremities of the magnets. From its peculiarity of construction, which gives a very positive action, due to the long lever arms and small air gaps, similar to that of the best types of relays used in telephonic work, I may call my invention a bell crank or relay type switch.

My invention is illustrated in the accom' panying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view of a switch embodying my invention, and having a positive release action. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a switch having a two-motion or negative release. Fig. 5 is a' top plan viewof the same. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation thereof, and Fig. 7 is a detail of the release mechanism on the inside of the frame, looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing adjustments.

Referring to the drawings, and especially to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have therein shown the bank 0 ntacts at 1 and 2. These are supported up n transverse angle pieces 3 and {1, by means of which they are attached to the so-called mounting strips; which are iron bars horizontally secured across the bays in suitable racks or frames. This method of mounting. forming no part of the present invention, I have not deemed it necessary to show any part of the racks or frames, but it will be understood that the vertical faces'of the angles 3 and 4 are screwed against upper and lower mounting strips, so as to support the switch as a whole with the axis of its spindle vertical. The frame 5, formed in a shallow U-shape, is secured at its upper and lower ends to the angle pieces 3 and 4, so as to be detachable therefrom. I have shown the securing means as screws 6 and 7, but obviously these may be varied at will. A spacing or guide strip 8 is secured within the frame, parallel with the long side 5 thereof. The spindle 9 is mounted vertically, with its ends journaled in the upper and lower limbs of the upon the spindle. The rotary ratchet has a fiat wheel secured concentric with and at the top of the vertical ratchet. The stop pawl 12 engages this rotary ratchet at a point 13, which is spaced a sufficient number of teeth away from the-point of engagement of the rotary pawl to avoid intererence therewith. The stop pawl 12 is provided with ears by means of which it is pivoted at top and bottom upon the guide strip 8. It has a projectingtoe 15, which has two faces, one 15 shaped to engage the rotary ratchet, and the other 15 shaped to engage the vertical ratchet. Thus the single dog serves as a detent for both ratchets. Of course, as the spindle rises the rotary ratchet 11 becomes disengaged from the edge 15 of the stop pawl, but before it does so it passes into engagement with a knife edge 16 fixed on'thc inner face of the guide-:strip 8. The spindle is supposed to be turned the desired number of steps before it is elevated, and so the function of the stop pawl is performed with respect to the rotary ratchet before the spindle rises. As it rises the knife edge 16 prevents any further r0 tation either backward or forward. A-metal cup 17 is secured aronnd the lower end of the spindle, and within this a 30 coil spring is provided which has a constant tendency to turn the spindle back to' its zero position, the cup carrying'a stop bearing against the guide strip 8, and one end of the spring being attached to the cup on the inside, while its other end is attached to the spindle.

The vertical motion of the spindle and the wipers is produced by means of the magnet 18, which has a core 19, heads 20 and 21, an iron return bar 22, a bell crank armature 23, balanced on the knife edge 24, and normally held with its long arm flat against the Cop of the return bar by means of a long spiral spring 26, at one end attached to a U-shape anchor 27 set up in the angle of the return bar 22, and at the other end adjust ably connected to a spring post 28 secured upon the armature near the knife edge. The armature is held against displacement by a screw 29 passing through its transverse member into the end of the return ar. At its free end, the arm 25 is bent at 30 and slotted to receive the vertical pawl ll, pivotcd at 32 and provided with a suitable 55 spring to impel its point forward when the arm 25 is lifted. The frame pie e 5 is slotted at 320 to pass the arm :35. and to per- .nit the withdrawa of the pawl when the magnet is detached from the frame.

The rotary magnet 33 is proridrd with precisely the same parts as the vertical magnet 13, that is to say it has :i wore, lltil lS, return bar, 'hnil'e edge, boll rruih armature, long proiecling arm (EUH-lllg' a pawl at its iii i; and retraclil The rotary pawl 35, its attachment Thispawl 35 works in a slot 38 cut in the guide strip 8. The vertical pawl 31 works in a slot 39; and the dimensions of these two slots are such as to regulate and limit the movement of the pawls over their edges.

The end of the long lever 40 of the release magnet 34 is perforated to receive a rod or pitman 41, provided with an adjusting nut 42 and connected at its other end with a tail piece 43 on the stop pawl or detent 12.- When the armature 44 is attracted therefore, the lever arm 40 is thrown out from the return bar, the tail piece 43 is pulled over, and the toe 15 is removed from engagement with either the vertical or rotary ratchet, so as to permit gravity to bring down the spindle and its parts to the position shown in Fig. 1, and thereafter to permit the spring in the cup 17 to turn the spindle back to zero position. i

The switch shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and covered by the foregoing description, is whatis known as a single-motion or positive-release switch, that is to say, its parts are released and returned to normal upon the energization of the magnet 34. In some portions of an automatic circuit it is necessary to employ switches which will not re-. lease on the posititeimpulse or energization of the magnet 3-1, but will release only upon the deencrgization of said magnet after it has been effectively. energized. Such switches are called twounotion or negativer-clease switches. Such a one is shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive. It is unnecessary to describe the working parts and magnets shown in these figures, as they are precisely the some as the mrrcsponding partsin Figs.

1. 2 and 3. The onlydifi'erences are found.

in the release mechanism. This is composed of three principal parts, viz., thearmature lever 40, the stop pawl 12, and a dummy pawl or false trip 5 The trip 50 is pivoted on the opposite side of the guide strip 8 in precisely the same manner as the detent 12 on its side. At its upper end the strip rnrries an our 31 which is connected through :i pitmun 52 lo the end of the armature -l0. At its lower end the st rip 50 carries a projccl ion :7? bent at right angles. and upon this is secured a transverse spring Bl having an ore or opening 535 nornntlly lying just inside of a projection 56 near the lower end of the di-tcnt 122. This dcteut l2, and the trip 50 r-Ulllizu In that ol' 1 are hu Provided with a piral Spring nor- .the ratchet wheel.

mally tending so as to throw the forward edges toward the rotary ratchet wheel and the rear edges apart. The retractile spring of the trip 50 is made much stronger than that of the detent 12, and the flat spring 54 is given a com siderable pressure or set, against the end of the tooth or projection 56.

The operation of this device is as follows: W'lien the release magnet is energized, the arm 40 is thrown out, and the trip 50 is turned on its pivot so as to slide the spring .54 along until its eye slips over the tooth 56 ofthe detent 12, the normal set of the spring causing it to make its engagement as soon as the eye comes over the tooth. Upon the subsequent denergization of the magnet. 34, the arm 40 is drawndown by its spring against the return bar, the trip is turned by its spring so far as the length of the pitnian 52 will permit, and since its flat spring 54 is in engagement with the rearwardly extended tooth of the detent 12, it' turns the latter on its pivot, and disengages its toe from the rotary and vertical ratchets, hold ing it in its disengaged position until the switch again comes into use.

In order to release the detent l2 and permit it again to engage the ratchets, I provide a pin or stud .37 set vertically in the arm 58 of the rotary magnet 33. As already stated the rotary magnet is energized before the vertical, and at the first movement of the rotary armature. the pin 57 strikes a bent end portion 54 forming a cam on the end of the spring 54 so as to force said spring back toward the magnets and withdraw it thereby from engagement with the tooth 56 of the detent 12. The spring on the detent then turns it so that its toe will engage the ratchets.

The electrical connections of my switch are not shown since they form no part of the present invention. Assuming that subscribers lines or trunk lines or operators circuits, as the case may be, are connected to the bank contacts, the wipers (30 may be caused to engage any particular pair of contacts and thereby connect the corresponding line or trunk or operator with the switch circuit and whatever it is connected with, in the following manner: The bank contacts being arranged in vertical rows, with preferably ten pairs in each row, in order to select an individual pair, the rotary magnet 37 is first energized by sending through it number of electrical impulses corresponding to the number of the row in which the desired pair of contacts is to be found. These will cause the rotary magnet to attract its armature and move the pawl a corresminding number of times, each move inent stepping the spindle around on its axis a spine corresponding to one tooth on The wipers are thus l t l l to turn them on their pivots I brought beneath and in line with the desired row of contacts. A suitable number of electrical impulses is then sent through the vertical magnet 18, which attracts its armature a corresponding number of times and steps the spindle up the same number of steps, whereby the wipers are caused to rest upon the desired pair of contacts in the row. The spindle is held in this position, with all the magnets energized, until the usefulness of the connection is at an end, whereupon electrical current is caused to energize the magnet 34, which attracts its armature and releases the switch in either one of the two ways heretofore described.

I am aware that a number of changes may be made in the details of this design without departing from the characteristic features thereof. These are the end mounting of the operating magnets, by which I avoid the use of a complicated frame. and nfake each magnet detachable; the provision of a guide strip 8 which leaves a vacant space between itself and'the member 5 on the frame in which the working parts can be moved; the provision of a false or dummy trip for makipg a two-motion release; and the specific s ructure and arrangement of the workin magnets. It will be observed that I have provided the bell crank armatures with spiral retractile springs. The means by which I do this constitute a point of novelty and I shall claim the same. These springs are well known to be superior to llat or leaf springs, but their use has heretofore been unknown and presumably impossible with this type of armature. The use of knife edges and an end support for the armature levers, whereby adjustments may be avoided, also constitute a point of novelty which I shall claim. Among the changes which can be made are the positive connection of the armature and the false trip 50, so that the armature in its movement will positively move the trip in both directions.

The method of attaching the ratchets, the cup 17, and the wipers to the spindle may be varied, since these parts may be attached separately and directly to the spindle, in the ordinary manner. I prefer, however, to mount them altogether upon a separate sleeve or tube which can have the ratchet teeth cut in it and the other parts attached to it. The spindle then becomes a plain steel rod, to which the sleeve is attached by simple positive means such as the set screw Shown in the drawings. By this construction, it it be desired toremove the wipers or ratchets for any reason, it is only necessary to loosen the set screw, slip out the spindle endwise, and remove the tube with all the parts on it from the side of the frame. I believe this to be a very important departure.

A very important point which I wish clearly understood is that I am no. limited in my design to the use of single spool mag nets, but can change these to double spool,

by using a yoke at the rear cndand broaden shown for example in ny prior applicatione i No. 293149. filed December 1907 and No. 331,564. filed August 1906. The par-- ticular magnet which ometin'ics requires to he made double because of its llt3i1\' work and the necessity for quick sharp action. is the vertical. I have found it advantagemis. however. to make the rotary magnet also double, in which case the frame of the switch is correspondingly lengthened and the num her of teeth in the vertical ratrhet may he increased to allow for the greater height of the rotary magnet on the frame. The re lease magnet may also he made double poled. if required, but this is hardly ever necessary.

In order to decrease the cost of assembling the switch. adjustments may he added if desired. The engagement of each armature with its knife edge is of course positive. but the air gap and the throw of the lever may be regulated by tapping a screw through the inner end of each armature lever, and put ting a lock-nut on the screw. the point of the latter being turned dmvnwanll so that in stead of the armature lever resting flat a long the top of the return bar the point of the screw will rest thereon, and hy adjustimg this up or down. the exact position ot the lever and therefore of its connected parts. may be determined. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 8. Other adjustments will suggest themselves to tho e skilled in the art. and it will ot course he understood that the addition of any such to the ])l'( -till design is within my present contemplation. Such adjustments are shown in Fig. 8.

All such clmngrcsand modifications as do not depart from the ,|)llli of my imcntion are to he considered as within the scope ot the following claims.

I do not claim herein the fixed ltnit'e. edge l6. the. same ll:l\'lll; been disclosed and we citically claimed heretofore Hi my own Pnti out No. LUTUJ LU. granted tohcr Having: illh tltt'!',i u l my what i t'lllllll and demi- Io ararii in Saati rs Patent is l. selective switt h for electrical systems comprising a bank of lixcd contacts, sill)- porting means therefor, a frame secured intent n a thereto, a srlective contact adapted to recto rocato within the frame, and self-contained electromaggnetic actuatin means f r said contact mounted upon the outside of the frame and having its actuating parts extending within the l'rame into operative rclatiou with the said contact. 2. A selectiie swit h f r ten. (Ulii}.)i'l.-il2j .1 lnnl. i

parts 0. i i a:

into operative relation "with ho spindle.

; team comprising ha. lv ??i:..ifl'-'. supporting means therctor. a tr i'Zil se ured thereto.

t hridginr the hank and Fimifttl away there l from. a spindle carrying a rklLLftIiYC rontact land mounted so asto haw motion within said trame. and an electron:agnetic actuating unit: for the spindle hating a core, a

magnet spo l thereon. a return bar extending along the spool parallel to the core. and

a hell crank armature mounted on said return bar and having an extended operating i lewr. said electroniag'iret and return har he i ing secured to the outside of the trame so that I the core is substantially perpendicular to the extending within the t? me its fr e trial nto operati'w hlJli'Hi J iital svsteins t a manic conne ted I th reto. a spindle mounted lll aid frame. a I nunalde roniact or wip r Rar'rieil on Said w iiltltllt. and eiectromaunctio actuating means for the spindle separately assembled l l l l tlll l i" and mounted as a unit upon the thc lrrnne with actuating parts extending within the same so 21: to operativi-lv engage 'thc spindle. selcrtiie switrh tor elect: ical systems t'uililiih'iiig lmnh ir ntacta. a ti -shaped irame having its rnds attache-l, to the rontact l banks. a spindle extending across said frame i with its ends journaled in the end members thereof so as to both reriprocate and turn l therein. a vertical and a rotary ratchet {adapted to set the spindle. a guide strip l aid frame parallel with the to iron ,1 orifii page liemounted Fliilllllt anti,

magn t, v

outside of.

engage the vertical ratchet and lift the spindle when the vertical magnet is energized; and the armature of said rotary magnet extending along the return bar thereof into said working space, with a horizontal pawl pivoted thereon and extending through a guide slot in said guide strip, so as to engage the rotary ratchet wheel and turn the spindle when said rotary magnet is energized; together with means for disengaging said detent fromthe ratchets, to permit the release and restoration of the spindle and movable contacts to their normal or zero position when the switch is not in use.

6. An electrical switch comprising bank contacts, supporting means frame secured thereto bridging the contacts and spaced apart therefrom, a spindle journaled in the ends of said frame so as to have both reciprocating and rota-ry'motion therein, rotary and vertical ratchets on said.

spindle, and electromagnetic actuating units therefor, each comprising a core, a winding and a parallel return bar supported at one end on the outside of the frame substantially perpendicularly to the .spindle, an armature supported on the return barand. a lever extending therefrom to a point within the frame and there provided with a pawl adapted to engage said rotary or said vertical ratchet as the case may be.

7. An electrical switch comprising bank contacts, supporting means therefor, a frame secured thereto bridging the contacts and spaced apart therefrom, a spindle journaled in the ends of said frame soas to have both reciprocating and rotary motion therein, rotary and vertical ratchets on said spindle, and electromagnetic actuating units therefor, each comprising a core, a winding and a parallel return bar supported at one end on the outside of the frame substantially perpendicularly to the spindle, an

armature supported on the return bar and therefor, a

a lever extending therefrom to a point within the frame and there provided with a pawl adapted to engage said rotary or said vertical ratchet as the case may be, together with means for holding the spindle. in the position in which it may be set by the vertical or rotary magnets, and a release magnet consisting of a unit similar to the rotary and vertical 'units mounted on the outside of the frame and having an armature lever extending within the same to engage said holding means. 8. An electrical switch comprising an areshaped bank of contacts, a shallow U-shaped frame bridged across the ends of said bank, a"wiper carrying spindle journalcd in bearings inside said frame, the axis of said journal bearings and of the spindle coinciding with the center or axis of the arc of the contact bank, and an operating electromagnet for said spindle having its core end attached to the bridging frame in proximity to the spindle bearings and the axis of the core extending radially therefrom,- a return bar extending from the frame parallel to the core and provided with a knife edge, an armature carried by the outer end on said knife edge and extending into proximityto the outer end of the magnet core, a lever extending from said armature parallel to the core and return bar into proximity with the spindle, and an operating connection between said lever end and the' spindle, whereby armature movement at the outer end of the magnet will produce rotary movement of the spindle, and cause progressive engagement between the wiper and, bank contacts.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature in presence of two witnesses.

. EDWARD E. CLEMENT.

Witnesses:

. E. EDMONSTON, Jr.,

JAMES H. MARR. 

